Sandybed House - Haddington

Sandybed House - Haddington

Culture,Intangible Heritage

Sandybed house, better known as Bothwell Castle in Haddington, was not in fact a castle but a late 16th-century, wealthy town house which consisted of a main block running N-S and two wings which extended E to the river, enclosing a small courtyard. A round tower projected at the front SW angle, while at the E end of the S wing was a rectangular dovecot integral with the wall. The house was sadly demolished in 1952. In 2018, we worked with Jon Cooper and some other members of Haddington History Society to gather information and gain a better understanding of this now lost part of Haddington's vast history.

is51102025

2018

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Reconstruction

1544

In Copyright (InC)

current,55.95654996764656,-2.774951085448265;

Open Virtual Worlds Team University of St Andrews

TEXT

https://www.trove.scot/place/56552

Firstly, a digital landscape was created using survey data and height maps. Following extensive historical research and collaboration with specialists, 3D models are created and imported into UNREAL Engine (a cross-platform game engine for creating virtual worlds). Models are textured, scaled, oriented and assembled. Scenes are created and populated with appropriate objects, including furniture and artefacts. Landscapes populated with flora and fauna. Weather settings and atmospheric lighting.

A description of the mansion: "the main block fronted Hardgate. It was formed by two wings extending to the river and enclosing a small courtyard. At the southwest corner, there remained the tower portion of a circular tower, in which was the main entrance. Above the doorway was a weather-worn Coat of Arms. A remarkable feature was a rectangular dovecot forming part of the main structure. Rooms in this grand mansion had been lined with wooden panelling and iron door fittings, excellent examples, it is believed, of local craftsmanship. The kitchen was vaulted and had a large fireplace. There were at least a dozen apartments besides the kitchen and cellar premises." Sandybed house was associated with the Cockburn family. In September 2013, Connolly Heritage consultancy undertook a community excavation on the site of Bothwell's Castle, Hardgate, Haddington. As part of the Peter Potter Gallery Monument Project, and with support from East Lothian Council Archaeology Service. For more information on the excavation visit: https://www.johngraycentre.org/collections/getrecord/ELHER_EEL830/

Jon Cooper (Siege of Haddington Research Group) (Haddington History Society)

Sarah Kennedy, Alan Miller

1950